Rodgers Discloses Formula Behind Sterling Goal

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers hailed winger Raheem Sterling after the youngster scored the only goal in last week's 1-0 win over Reading at Anfield and also revealed the move came straight from a training ground routine.

The 17 year old latched on to a through ball from Luis Suarez and kept his composure to finish past Royals goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, becoming the club's second youngest Premier League goalscorer, behind Michael Owen. The goal also helped the Reds post their first domestic home win this season.

"It's a part of the game we've been working on. The players on the outside, the No.7 and No.11, we're trying to get them in the positions so they can make those runs. He's got good pace, Raheem, so once he's on the inside he can break the line of the back four," Sky Sports quoted Rodgers as saying.

"We've been doing a lot of work on that on the training field but all the credit goes to him because he's got to identify the moment to go in. It was a wonderful finish because he was going away from the goal, and he's got a quick defender tracking him. He's a terrific talent and he's got a good head on young shoulders," the Northern Irishman pointed out.

Rodgers also praised Suarez's attitude and work ethic after the Uruguayan insisted on continuing, despite being involved in a busy week with his national team and suffering a dead leg against Reading, going into the break.

"He got a dead leg just before half-time, he got kneed on his thigh. He's travelled all around the world, played at altitude, got back late Thursday, trained on Friday morning and still goes out and runs and works and gives his all for the team, doesn't want to come off. He's an incredible character," the Liverpool Web site quoted Rodgers.

"He scores a lot of chances. He leads the line terrifically for us. His movement and creativity is great. There's no doubt he'll want to be a wee bit more clinical, and going forward we want to get some more players around him who can take the load off him as well," the 39 year old added.